It's been said the key to unlocking the future is found in the past. I tell stories about those who went before us and left guideposts for us to find. Take up this journey to the past with me and be inspired, entertained, and enlightened.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Author Karen Robbins on Her Ireland Trip

Cindy's note: Karen is a writer friend who just happens to have been born on St. Patrick's Day. I asked her to share with you some memories about her trip.

Thanks for inviting me today, Cindy! One of the reasons I love your books so
much is the Ireland connection. In 2011, we spent a month exploring Ireland. We
began in Dublin and circled the entire island country. It is truly a beautiful country
with wonderful people—actually two countries, the Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland which is still a part of the United Kingdom.

Karen Robbins's photo.

I cannot pick out a favorite spot. Each area was unique and had something
different to experience although I do favor the countryside more than the
larger cities. One of the most delightful things about each area that we
visited though was the storytelling. Ah, the Irish can spin a tale!

On our second day to explore the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland, we found ourselves
in the land of legendary giants. The Giant's Causeway, a spectacular work of
nature or giants if you would believe folklore, was fascinating. The rock
formation is made from an estimated 40,000 basalt columns which were formed
from a volcanic eruption over 60 million years ago. The causeway was discovered
in 1692 by the Bishop of Derry who immediately reported it to the tourist
bureau in Dublin--just kidding--but it was reported to Dublin authorities who
in turn contacted authorities in London and the theories and research began in
an attempt to explain the phenomenon.

But who wants facts like lava flowing and filling in fissures and creating a
layer of basalt and then sun and rain eroding them, more lava flowing, cooling
slowly, more cracking, and on and on until you get all of these columns of
mostly six-sided stones? Give me the legend. It's much more fun.

Karen Robbins's photo.

It is said that an Irish giant named Finn McCool lived along the coast and
was insulted by a Scottish giant, Fingal, who lived across the channel. In
anger, Finn lifted a huge chunk of earth and hurled it at Fingal. The earth
fell into the sea. Fingal retaliated with a huge stone tossed in Finn's
direction. He taunted Finn saying that Finn was lucky he wasn't a strong
swimmer or he'd come over to the Irish shore and give Finn what for.

Finn was enraged and began throwing large clumps of earth into the channel
to make a walkway for Fingal to come over and face him. It took him a week to
complete the walkway but since he hadn't slept in a week, he was worried that
he was too tired to face Fingal.

Now here's where it gets interesting. One account says he asked his wife
what to do and she told him to disguise himself as a baby in a cot--which is
what he did. When Fingal arrived, Finn's wife said her husband was out but
showed Fingal her "baby" laying in the cradle. Fingal saw the size of
the "baby" and wondered how big the father was. He high tailed it
home tearing up the walkway as he went. The Giants Causeway is all that's left.

Now isn't that better than a lot of geological facts? Before we left, Bob
and I were feeling a bit adventuresome. We climbed to the top of a group of
rocks for a Kodak moment. After all, we were nearing the end of our Ireland trip and
a turned ankle wouldn't be so disastrous.

KAREN ROBBINS is
a freelance writer, author, and speaker. She and her husband are travel addicts
and stop by home in the Cleveland area of Ohio on occasion to repack the suitcases.
Her stories are often inspired by adventures in many different parts of the
world.Along the writing
adventure, Karen has published Divide The
Child, Murder Among The Orchids, In A Pickle, and Death Among The Deckchairs. She has also coauthored A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts and A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts and has
contributed to several Chicken Soup
books. Travel articles, essays on grandparenting, and some of her short stories
can be found in various magazines both online and in print. While the world
is fun to explore, Karen most likes to spend time with her eight grandchildren.
They offer the greatest adventures of all.Follow Karen’s
travels at Writer’s Wanderings.
Connect with her at her Facebook Author Page
to learn when her next Casey Stengel Mystery book, Secrets Among The Shamrocks will be released.

The Book in the Background

Around the edges you see the Thomson Family History. It's a handwritten book of genealogy composed in the year 1881 by my husband's ancestor. The book is held at the State Library of Ohio in Columbus, Ohio.